"Pandemic Vigilance Must Not Be Lowered" vs. "Still Discriminatory"
[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Nayeon] Singapore has abolished the outing permit system for foreign workers, but restrictions on visiting public places during holidays have led to criticisms of discrimination against foreigners.
According to AFP on the 25th, the Singapore government announced the day before that foreign workers can now leave their dormitories without official permission.
However, it added that permission must be requested from authorities to visit public places crowded with citizens on Sundays or public holidays. It also stated that a maximum of 80,000 permits can be issued per day.
Currently, it is estimated that 300,000 foreign workers reside in Singapore, the majority of whom are from Southeast Asia.
Therefore, this measure is criticized as easing quarantine rules for foreign workers while still controlling their movement.
Until now, the Singapore government has been criticized for discrimination against foreigners by implementing an outing permit system that required migrant workers to stay in their dormitories except when going to work.
Moreover, controversy arose when poor living conditions were revealed after COVID-19 spread in dormitories where foreign workers live collectively.
A Singapore Ministry of Labor official said regarding this measure, "We must not lower our guard because the pandemic is not over."
On the other hand, Desiri Leon of HOME (Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics), a migrant worker support group, said, "The abolition of the outing permit system is welcome, but other additional measures are still discriminatory."
He added, "Most citizens do not face movement restrictions, so it is hard to understand why such measures must be applied only to foreign workers."
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